A new study finds that chronic stress leads to recruitment of myeloid macrophages to the hippocampus, weakening the brain’s capacity for spatial memory. This finding may have broad implications for sufferers of stress-induced disorders.

Stress is part of our lives. Whether it occurs over finishing a term paper five milliseconds before the deadline, navigating the complicated social undercurrents in the office, juggling your teenaged offspring’s wishes against the budgetary restrictions of your existence, or getting delayed on the freeway on your way to an interview / concert / meeting / [insert absolutely crucial event here] – we all experience stress to varying degrees. Our bodies are equipped to handle stress, by pumping more oxygen to the brain, making us more alert and responsive.